Dear Editor,
I have noted several misrepresentations in sections of the media regarding the procedures of the meeting between the Hon. Minister of Agriculture and Buxton farmers. As the chairman of the proceedings, I wish to clarify the matter.
As is customary in all meetings convened by the Hon. Minister of Agriculture in any administrative region, our protocols and courtesies require that the Regional Chairman is notified and invited prior to these meetings. This was done.
Regarding the specific meeting at the Buxton Community High School, held on Thursday 7 February 2008, I wish to indicate that the Regional Chairman was previously advised and his support sought by the Minister himself.
However, at the point of assumption of the meeting, the Regional Chairman presented his own programme for the meeting to the Minister which was different from the ministry’s own programme. This was altered, although the Regional Chair-man differed. Notwithstand-ing, the meeting proceeded gainfully for about 75 minutes as was originally planned until the unfortunate disruption.
The difference was that the Regional Chairman wanted to speak first. But the ministry’s programme which is consistent with existing protocol and norm for these types of meetings provided that the Minister outline the framework for the discussion and then invite submissions from the Regional Chairman and others.
The Regional Chairman was allowed to share his perspectives freely and uninterruptedly. To claim that the regional official was not accorded full courtesy is misleading and mischievous.
From a ministry’s standpoint, we will continue to engage the affected farmers as we proceed to invest and intervene for the greater good of agricultural development in Guyana. There have been several follow-ups with farmers of the area involving the Minister and his officers.
The ministry will continue to give due recognition and support to all Local Government organs including the Region 4 administration. In fact, the existing level of cooperation between the Minister’s office and the Region Four administrations is unprecedented and has not been affected by this small misunderstanding which is being overplayed and sensationalized by sections of the media.
I hope this serves to provide clarity to our readers.
Yours faithfully,
Brian Greenidge
Chairman of
Proceedings and Deputy
Permanent Secretary
(Admin) Ministry of
Agriculture
